staff

Veronica Goei, Executive Director408-347-7892 ext. 303vgoei@gfsfamilyservices.orgVeronica has been GFS Executive Director since 2000. She is a leader in the nonprofit sector with more than 18 years of experience. Under her leadership, GFS has built a reputation for expertise in early childhood literacy, family engagement and working with Latino families. She has developed curricula in the areas of parenting, diversity, early childhood literacy, and adult education. Her curricula are implemented at the local, state and national level. Veronica serves on the New Market Tax Credit advisory board of Opportunity Fund and is a member of the Children's Musical Theater of San Jose's Board of Directors. Veronica holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Chile. She is a graduate of the Harvard University Strategic Perspective in Nonprofit Management Program. She counts many accomplishments in her professional career, but none is greater than her family—her two children, Heather and Jeremy.

Liliana Amaro, Office Manager408-347-7892 ext. 302lamaro@gfsfamilyservices.orgLiliana has over ten years of experience as an administrative assistant. Liliana holds a BS in Business and Finance with a minor in Economics from San Jose State University. While in school, Liliana was part of the Braven Academy, where she worked with a team of six students on leadership development projects utilizing design thinking to foster creativity and innovation.

Nereyda M. Hurtado, Ph. D., Director of Programs408-347-7892 ext. 301nhurtado@gfsfamilyservices.orgNereyda is a child development expert, who spent over a decade as a researcher at Stanford University, where she conducted studies on language development and parenting practices with monolingual and bilingual families living in the Bay Area. Nereyda is responsible for the implementation of the Building Blocks of Parenting Family Engagement Professional Development Program which seeks to support schools in transforming their interactions with families into meaningful collaborations between parents, teachers and other school staff. Nereyda graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a doctorate in educational psychology.

Juana Castillo, Preschool Site Supervisor408-347-7892 ext. 316jcastillo@gfsfamilyservices.orgJuana is the Grail Family Services' California State Preschool Program Site Supervisor. Juana has been working with families and children in Santa Clara County since 2007. She has a deep vocation, great knowledge, and experience in the field of Child Development. She has a great dedication for the progress and well-being of each of the preschoolers and their families, putting the children first. Juana has a BA in Business Administration from her native country, Peru. Juana has a Child Development Site Supervisor Permit from the California Teacher Credentials Commission. She is currently pursuing her BA in Human Development at Pacific Oaks College. ​

Yadirha Orozco, Professional Development Coordinator408-347-7892 ext. 314yorozco@gfsfamilyservices.orgYadirha leads the implementation of the SEEDS Family Child Care Provider (FCCP) Program funded by FIRST 5 Santa Clara County’s Family Resource Center Initiative. After a year at GFS as the Family Literacy Coordinator, Yadirha has transitioned into her new role as Professional Development Coordinator. Prior to joining GFS, Yadirha worked as a preschool teacher and after school program director and academic coach. Yadirha has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Child and Adolescent Psychology.

​Melissa Canela, Parent Services Coordinator408-347-7892 ext. 306mcanela@gfsfamilyservices.orgMelissa coordinates the Birth and Beyond Family Empowerment Program. She also works with our ESL class on Fridays, scheduling informational presentations and workshops, and activities to practice speaking in English. Melissa has a B.A. in Sociology with a concentration in Education from the University of San Francisco. Before coming to GFS, she was a Community Liaison for Alum Rock Union School District, where she provided resources to parents and families by creating partnerships with local organizations, increased parent/family engagement, and built meaningful and supportive relationships between school and students' homes. Melissa is a first-generation Latina born and raised in the east side of San Jose.

Yadira Grajeda, Family Engagement Manager408-347-7892 ext. 315ygrajeda@gfsfamilyservices.orgYadira is responsible for the coordination, implementation, and effective management of GFS’s family engagement programs including the Yes We Can Read!™ Plus (YWCR+). Prior to joining GFS, Yadira worked as a Family Services Coordinator providing direct services and referrals to low-income families living in affordable housing. Yadira graduated from University of California Santa Cruz with a BA in Sociology.

Rosie Lopez, Family Literacy Coordinator408-347-7892, ext. 305​rlopez@gfsfamilyservices.orgRosie coordinates, implements and evaluates GFS literacy programs, including Yes We Can Read!™ Plus (YWCR+). Prior to joining GFS, Rosie worked as an Instructional Assistant in the Central Valley providing 6th and 8th grade students with online services to improve their reading and math comprehension. She has also worked as a bilingual para-educator assisting teachers, students and parents. Rosie graduated from CSU Stanislaus with a BA in psychology and Spanish.

Irazu Martinez, Family Services Lead408-347-7892 ext. 307imartinez@gfsfamilyservices.orgIrazu works closely with another service provider to deliver the Prevention Early Intervention (PEI) Services Program at local schools in the Alum Rock Union Elementary School District (ARUSD). She provides case management services to at-risk families, helping them access community resources and achieve self-sufficiency. Along with her team members, she also delivers social skills streaming workshops for young students in ARUSD schools. Irazu graduated from California State University East Bay with a B.A. in Sociology. Before coming to GFS, Irazu was a Health Services Advocate at Foothill Community Health Center and a PEI Family Partner at Catholic Charities. ​

Leslie Flowers, Development and Communications Manager408-347-7892 ext. 304lflowers@gfsfamilyservices.orgLeslie is responsible for Grail Family Services’ fund development and communications activities, including grant proposals, newsletters, social media content and fundraising events. Her background spans journalism, human resources and corporate training. As an avid reader and lifelong learner, Leslie is thrilled to be working with an organization that focuses on children’s literacy and academic success. A native Californian, Leslie has a BA in journalism from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. She enjoys travel, hiking, volunteering, theater, and reading.

Brenda Arenas, Child Enrichment Coordinator408-347-7892 ext. 308barenas@gfsfamilyservices.orgBrenda comes from Chihuahua, Mexico, and has been with GFS for 12 years. She coordinates the Child Enrichment program in the morning. She has implemented several family literacy programs and is strongly involved in her community. She has studied child development at De Anza College, and has a passion for working with families and children.

Martha Frias, Child Enrichment Staff408-347-7892Martha comes from Zacatecas, Mexico, and has been with GFS for 10 years, focusing on the enrichment of 1 to 2 year olds. She has studied child development at De Anza College. Martha is very creative and loves working with children. She is the proud mother of two children.

Maria Serna, Child Enrichment Staff408-347-7892Maria comes from Aguascalientes, Mexico, and has been with GFS for 13 years, working with children ages 0 to 5. Before GFS, she worked at San Antonio Elementary School, first as a volunteer at the preschool level, then at the kindergarten level, and finally at the first grade level. In 2004, Maria obtained a family child care degree. She studied early childhood development at De Anza College, and is currently continuing her studies at Mission College.

I​rma Contreras, Child Enrichment Staff 408-347-7892

Gabriela Zamora, Preschool Teacher 408-347-7892Gabriela comes from Michoacan, Mexico, and has been with GFS for one year. She has been focusing on the enrichment of newborn to 2-year old children. She has studied Child Development at Mission College. She loves working with children, and is pursuing a career as a preschool teacher.

Maria Ornelas, Preschool Teacher​408-347-7892mornelas@gfsfamilyservices.orgMari was born and raised in San Jose, California. She is an Associate Teacher in the GFS Preschool. Mari has a personal mission to inspire and encourage students to strive for greatness, and to teach them through hands-on experiences to help them realize their full potential and become the best they can be. She is currently attending San Jose City College to acquire her Associate of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education. Outside of her academic training, Mari attends early childhood education workshops.

Bianca Chavez, Preschool Teacher408-347-7892bchavez@gfsfamilyservices.orgBianca was born and raised in East San Jose. For the past few years, she has worked with children between the ages of 4 months to 5 years. As the Lead Teacher in the GFS Preschool, she strives every day to provide a lasting education in each child both academically and emotionally. Bianca is a first-generation college student who pursued a BA in Child and Adolescent Development with a focus on Early Childhood. She graduated from San Jose State University in the Fall of 2016. When not working, Bianca enjoys going on adventures with her nephew and nieces.